Modal Verbs

Look at each pair of sentences and describe the differences in meaning.
ORDER - Imperative - MUST do.
Advice - I think you should

1. 1. You'll be surprised at how friendly they are.
   2. You may be surprised at how friendly they are.
2. 1. I'm sure that you WILL be surprised
   2. perhaps, maybe
   
   
3. 1. You must kiss people you meet on both cheeks.
   2. You should kiss people you meet on both cheeks.

Imperative bare infinitive

1. a) I can speak French reasonably well. b) I could speak French reasonably well (reasonably = good enough)
   can (present) could (past)
   
   
2. a) You may open the window. b) You ought to open the window.
   (ought to = should) Advice
   
   
3. a)That must be the postman. b) That could be the postman.
   a) I think there is no other possibility. b) It might be the postman but COULD be another person
   I'm not absolutely sure if it's the postman ('Could' is not referring to the past)
   
   
4. a) You don't have to come early b) You mustn't come early
   a) If you like you can come on time. // I don't mind if you do come early but it's your choice (up to you)
   b) You are not allowed to come early. // Make sure that you don't come early again.
   
   
5. a) I can't lift those boxes in my condition. b) I mustn't lift those boxes in my condition.
   a) It's not possible to lift the boxes.
   b) The Doctor told me not to lift the boxes.
   
   
6. a) I've got to leave work by 3 p.m. today b) I may leave work by 3 p.m. today.
   a) It is my duty to leave by 3 p.m. I don't have a choice (When 'have' is contracted, we MUST use 'got' - 'I've GOT ..'
   b) I might choose to leave by 3 p.m.
   
   
7. He ought to give up his job because ....now he's won the lottery he doesn't need to go to work to give up (phrasal verb = quit = stop doing something )
   
   
8. The present prime Minister won't win the next election because .....
   he has made so many mistakes that people are angry with him.
   (so ..that - Cause and effect)
   
   
9. Jamie doesn't have to go to school tomorrow because .... he has flu
   
   
10. You mustn't be home late tonight because .. tomorrow you have to get up early.
    
11. I can't read the instructions on the side of this book because ... I can't read Spanish.
    
    
12. This painting could be of some kind of animal because .... I can see something that looks like a tail.
    
    
13. You've got to start your revision this weekend because ... there isn't much time left before the exam.
    
    

Someone you know wants to get fit. Give them some advice.
a) You should join the local gym.
b) You should take up jogging
c) You should walk to work, You ought to eat healthier food
(You could join a local gym - THE ADVICE is not direct but implied) You could - POSSIBIlITY.

Someone has asked about your musical abilities when you were a child . Tell them about your past abilities.
"How good were you at music when you were a child?"
When I was a child, I could play the piano.

A friend has asked to smoke in your bedroom. What do they ask?
May I / Can I + smoke ?
(asking for permission)

Someone has asked you where your friend Mark is. You don't know for sure but you have one or two ideas.
He could be in the bathroom.
He might be in the garden.

Someone has offered to give you a lift home. Tell them it is not necessary as you have your bike.
a) You don't have to drive me home because I have a bike
b) thanks, but ...
Thanks for the offer , but ...

You hear the telephone ring. You are sure that's it's your friend Sam because he said he would ring at this time. Tell your flatmate this as you go to answer it.
When you are sure of something "That MUST be .."
That must be Sam.
You don't have to answer the phone. I'll answer it. It must be Sam.

Clauses with the same meaning

You can if you like but you don't have to.

1. The present prime minister won't win the next election because....
   People don't support him after the scandal.
2. Jamie doesn't have to go to school tomorrow because ...
   His doctor recommended him to stay at home.
3. You mustn't be home late tonight because... Tomorrow you have to get up early.
4. I can't read the instructions on the side of this box because ..... It was damaged by salt water.
5. This painting could be of some kind of animal because .... I can see something that looks like an animals tail.
6. You've got to start your revision this weekend because .... your exam will take place in two weeks.

Make modals

1. I could play the guitar years ago.
   
2. A friend has asked to smoke in your bedroom. What question do they ask?
   Would you mind if I smoke.
   Do you mind if I smoke.
   
3. Some has asked you where your friend Mark is. You don't know for sure but you have one or two ideas. Tell them your ideas.
   He could be at home , He might be in the office.
   
4. Someone has offered you a lift home. Tell them it's not necessary as you have your bike.
   Oh , you don't have to do that, I've got my bike with me.
   
5. You hear the phone ring and you are sure it's your friend Sam. (He said he would ring at this time) Tell your flatmate this
   That must be Sam, he said he would ring.
   
6. The head teacher gives permission for a student to leave school early.
   You may leave now.
   
7. It's necessary for everyone to bring their calculator to the Maths exams: Tell your friend.
   You have to bring your calculator to the exam.

Is it correct for her to say .. "I wish you would be taller"

Pronunciation and tone changing meaning

1. I could go. = It's possible to go. I can.
2. I could go. = It's possible to go, but perhaps there's a reason why I won't... (or) I can, but...